Vietnam enforces new internet regulations mandating user verification and data sharing by social media platforms News
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Vietnam enforces new internet regulations mandating user verification and data sharing by social media platforms

Vietnam enforced new internet regulations on Wednesday mandating social media platforms to verify user identities and share data with authorities. The rules, encapsulated in Decree No. 147/2024, have sparked significant criticism from activists and human rights organizations, who contend that they represent a severe infringement on freedom of expression in the country.

Under the new decree, all tech companies operating in Vietnam must verify user accounts using Vietnamese phone numbers or identification numbers, and store users’ full names and birth dates. Furthermore, upon request, these platforms must supply this data to government authorities and remove any content deemed “illegal” within a strict 24-hour timeframe. Critics assert that such measures will primarily silence dissenting voices and curb political discourse online.

The decree further mandates that social media platforms report on user engagement metrics, including the number of regular users from Vietnam, further expanding governmental oversight over digital communications. This regulatory shift marks a significant departure from previous policies, replacing Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP, which had been in place for over a decade. The new regulations are extensive, covering various aspects of Internet service management and imposing stricter compliance requirements on domestic and foreign providers operating in Vietnam.

The implementation of Decree 147 follows a broader trend of tightening internet controls in Vietnam, where the government has increasingly sought to regulate online content under the guise of maintaining national security and social order. Numerous activists have expressed concerns that this decree will be used to suppress differing viewpoints, highlighting the potential for increased surveillance and censorship.

Multiple human rights organizations have called for the repeal of such laws, arguing they undermine access to information and freedom of expression in Vietnam. As global scrutiny of digital rights intensifies, Vietnam’s latest decree highlights the ongoing tension between state control and individual rights in the digital age.

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